It’s a week of Valentine’s inspired sweet treats here on PTHN.

Since quitting dark chocolate a week ago, I’m staving off feelings of deprivation by baking.  And baking.  And baking.

I tend to go overboard on these things.  Spurred by my fear that there won’t be “enough”.  I affectionately refer to this as my scarcity complex.

Luckily, these cookies are definitely good enough.

Hints of carob, cinnamon and coconut come together with a subtle sweetness, enhanced by a touch of salt.

I can’t believe they’re not chocolate.

By the way, you’ll be happy to know that my scarcity complex also applies to vegetables.

Note: This recipe was shared with the following blog communities: Slightly Indulgent Tuesday, Fat Tuesday, Allergy Free Wednesday, Gluten-Free Wednesdays, Wheat-Free Wednesday.

Carob Cookie Bites

From PartTimeHealthNut.com

Makes: 24 one-inch cookies, Cook time: 12 minutes, Oven temp: 350 degrees F

Ingredients

• 2 cups almond flour
• ½ cup shredded unsweetened coconut
• ½ tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/3 cup carob powder
• 3 T. organic blonde coconut palm sugar
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• ½ cup coconut oil
• 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper.
3. Place coconut oil in a small pot and place over medium-low heat, just to melt.
4. Meanwhile, in a large bowl combine almond flour, shredded coconut, baking soda, salt, carob powder, palm sugar, and cinnamon.  Stir to mix ingredients.
5. Once coconut oil is melted, remove from heat and stir in applesauce and vanilla extract (using the pot saves you from cleaning another bowl).
6. Add wet ingredients to the dry and mix to incorporate.
7. Scoop a rounded teaspoonful and form into a ball.  Place ball on prepared cookie sheet and flatten with the palm of your hand.  Lightly sprinkle with coarse salt.
8. Bake cookies for 12 minutes.  Remove from oven and cool prior to removing from parchment.

Nutrition information:

Serving Size: 1 cookie, Calories: 128,Carbohydrates: 6.2g, Protein:2.4g, Fat:10.7g, Fiber:1.4g
Please note: Nutritional information is not guaranteed and will vary based on the ingredients used.